Researcher Max Sutherland writes:

"Laura (aka Laury, aka Laurie, aka Lucy) left Hugh O'Brien by 1861. No surprise, as many wives moved out of the bush farms after some thirty or more years of child bearing and hard winters in the frozen wilderness into nearby towns and villages. Their husbands are then politely termed "widower" by the census takers, when in fact the wives are "in town" alive and sometimes well.

The 1861 census of Lanark Township (south of Darling Township where Hugh and Laurie had lived). shows "Mrs. O’Brien", as married, aged 44, living in the village of Middleville, Lanark Township (6 miles away from the Darling homestead) with "Abigail O’Brien" aged 8. They appear to be staying at the home of Mrs. A. G. Hall, perhaps as boarders or maybe Mrs. O’Brien was working as a housekeeper. Hugh O’Brien is listed as "a poor farmer" and "widower" by the enumerator in Darling.

Laurie’s death certificate information: Province of Ontario, Death Certificates 1870, #005419, Almonte, Lanark County

Lucy Ann O’Brian. Died 24 October 1870. Age 54 years 3 months. Cause of death: Cancer, after 8 months’ illness. Born: New York State. Religion: Methodist. Informant: Dr. Noxon, Almonte."